A former Crufts champion has avoided jail after nearly a hundred caged dogs were found living in destitution at her home. Lynda Cooper has been banned from owning dogs for a decade after 77 emaciated dogs, including 20 puppies, were found, some close to death.
The Discovery and Rescue
The 74-year-old had won six awards at Crufts in 2016 with her Bracco Italiano gun dog, but just a decade later, her Pontypool home was raided by animal welfare officers. Shocking images show the squalid conditions the 'significantly underweight' animals were surviving in. Many were suffering from ear and dental infections. Ribs are visible on many of the animals as others shiver in cages in the dark, unhealthy conditions.
Volunteers from animal charity Hope Rescue were the first on the scene after making the discovery in 2024. Cooper initially surrendered 23 dogs, but officers were concerned about the unhealthy nature of the home. They returned alongside Animal Licensing Wales (ALW) and Torfaen Council’s Licensing and Trading Standards teams and rescued a further 54 dogs from the squalor.
Statement from Hope Rescue
Sara Rosser, head of operations at Hope Rescue, said Cooper’s case was 'one of the most challenging and distressing' they had ever encountered. 'On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state – severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections. Older dogs had lost muscle mass and mobility, and were so physically depleted they were unable to reach food before the younger dogs. Many, especially the younger dogs, were very nervous and lacking in life experience so required additional support and rehabilitation.'
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Cooper pleaded guilty to 11 animal welfare offences and breeding dogs without a licence, including causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of animals in her care at a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on 19 June. Cooper was handed a 12-month suspended sentence, ordered to pay £10,000 in prosecution costs, and will not be allowed to own dogs for ten years.
